Albany Medical Center Reaccredited as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission

Albany Medical Center has once again earned Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers from The Joint Commission.

To earn this certification, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards expected of primary stroke centers, and meet additional requirements, including volume of complex stroke and cerebrovascular patients, quality of care and outcome, advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments, and providing staff with the unique education and experience to care for complex stroke patients. Albany Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review when Joint Commission experts evaluated its compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements.

“Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification recognizes health care organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission.

“This advanced certification demonstrates our stroke program’s steadfast commitment to providing cutting-edge, rapid treatment for even the most complex strokes,” said Alan Boulos, MD, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, Herman and Sunny Stall Chair of Endovascular Surgery, director of the neurovascular section and professor of neurosurgery and radiology, and interim dean at Albany Medical College. “We are proud to offer this highest level of care possible to provide our stroke patients the best chance of survival and restored quality of life.”

Albany Medical Center’s stroke team consists of neurologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, nurse practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, and nurses and residents with specialized training in diagnosis and treatment of stroke, making the hospital a resource for other hospitals in a 25-county area that transfer patients to Albany Medical Center for treatment.